Sun spots, age spots, and freckles all arise from an over stimulation of the skins’ melanocytes which induces it produce more melanin, making the dark spots all over the skin.

What is the difference between sun spots and age spots?

There is essentially no difference. Age or liver spots are not a sign of liver damage as some people might assume.

How are these spots treated?

There are a variety of options that can treat hyperpigmentation due to sun damage.

Treatment options: Active FX, Chemical Peel, IPL, Vibraderm, Excision

Can all brown spots be burned off with a laser or chemicals?

NO! One very important thing to remember is that you should never have a spot removed without having a physician exam it first. If a spot looks suspicious, it must be biopsied and sent to a lab to evaluate for skin cancer. If a suspicious lesion is burned off with a chemical or laser peel, then the lesion cannot be evaluated for skin cancer. If a cancerous lesion is burned off unknowingly, this could be a life threatening situation. That is why a lesion should never be burned off without first being evaluated by a physician.